No Celebration for the 490 Arrested this Fourth of July Weekend

Hundreds of Colorado drivers were arrested over this year’s Independence Day weekend, as The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies throughout the state participated in the Fourth of July enforcement period by enacting saturation patrols and setting up DUI checkpoints to ensure that this year, nobody slipped through the cracks.

“Educating Coloradans on the dangers of impaired driver is our number one goal,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “While we’re relieved that 490 impaired drivers were taken off the road this weekend, we strive to have zero impaired drivers on the road at all.”

Of the 490 drivers arrested, the highest number of arrests over the six-day enforcement period took place in Denver (69) Aurora (45), and Colorado Springs (32). Preliminary reports show that there were nine fatalities due to crashes, one of which has been preliminarily reported as alcohol-related. The good news is the number of alcohol-related fatalities has dropped considerably. In 2012, there were seven alcohol-related fatalities.

“Nearly 100 law enforcement agencies across the state participated in the Fourth of July DUI crackdown,” said Colonel Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “And Coloradans can expect even tougher DUI enforcement over Labor Day weekend, with more patrols and checkpoints in place throughout the state.”

CDOT and the CSP urge drivers to plan ahead and establish a safe ride home before they leave for their celebrations and events – whether that is riding with a sober driver, calling a cab or using public transit.

The Heat Is On runs the entire year with 12 specific DUI enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large, public events. More details about the DUI enforcement plans and arrest results can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.